13. Ruthie
13
RUTHIE
December 22nd
When I woke up this morning next to a snoring Frankie in our two-room cabin, I was a mix of excited and sad.
Excited because today is the day we'd be putting all of the finishing touches on the town square, completing Santa's grotto, and setting up all the market stalls for the festival tomorrow. But sad because afterward, we'll be bidding farewell to Rainbow Springs and heading home.
Don't get me wrong, I love Spring Haven, I was born and bred there. There's just something about this charming little blink-and-you-miss-it town that has claimed a part of my heart.
Now is not the time to dwell on our dwindling time here though, because there's work to do.
The crisp winter air nips at my cheeks as I step outside the Toad Stool and Axe Bar where all the food has been cooked, cut, wrapped, and priced for tomorrow's food stalls. Since we all want to give George the best damn Christmas he's ever had, we're all making sure it's going to go off without a hitch.
All of us Sallys walk out of the bar and toward the town square, rugged up warm in our boots, coats, and winter hats, the snow crunching underneath our feet with every step. I smile when I see that the town square is a hive of activity. This time it's not just the Bull Mountain couples with their hands full, the Arrys, George, and a bunch of other townsfolk are also bustling about.
George, Red, and Mags are finishing up the decorations on the giant Christmas tree, the only thing missing is a tree topper.
George has been very tight-lipped about what he's been working on, but we'll soon find out exactly what he's made and I can't wait.
After he places the topper and we turn the lights on, that's when me and the Sallys will retire to our cabin for the night and the rest of our Spring Haven group will go to Harry's land for the surprise George and the Arrys have planned for them. But before that can happen, there's work to be done.
When we reach the town square, I stop and turn to my best friends in the world. “Alright, ladies,” I say. “Today's the day before the day.”
“Can't we just say that the festival is tomorrow?” Dottie says, lips twitching.
“Maybe she's caught George's wordy bug,” Frankie replies.
I roll my eyes which just makes them all chortle. “We've got the baked goods ready for sale. Now we need to make sure everythin' else is ready.” I turn to Aggie. “Do you want to go around the men and check in with them, make sure they've got everythin' they need? If they don't, let me know so I can try and fix that for them.” When she nods, I move on to Frankie. “Do you want to find Austin and see exactly what he's workin' on? He's been secretive all week about somethin', and I can't find him anywhere.”
A sly grin curves her lips. “I know why that is. He's been workin' on another surprise for the town, but especially for George. Him, Tobes, and Landry were up late last night tryin' to get it finished in time for tomorrow's festival.”
My brows furrow. “Why didn't I know about this?”
“That's easy. Because it's a surprise . Duh,” Aggie says slowly.
Feelings of curiosity and excitement course through me. I've always liked surprises—it's one of the many reasons I wanted to come here to meet George and give him his wish—but since I'm usually the one organizing them, I'm not often on the other side of it.
“Let the boys keep their secret then,” I reply. “Aggie, you go check in with everyone and see if they need anythin'. Frankie, go see Toby at Santa's Grotto and help him out. Dottie and I will go around the square and help finish wrappin' the tinsel around the poles.”
“ More tinsel?” Aggie asks, her brows sky high. “Don't you think there's enough?”
I stare blankly at her. “There can never be enough tinsel.”
“Or glitter,” Frankie adds. “Tinsel, glitter?—”
“Food,” Dottie says, just as her stomach growls and her cheeks tinge red.
I giggle and shake my head. “Didn't I see you sneakin' some peppermint bark at the bar?”
“Yep,” she says. “And the chocolate brownies that Melly made. They were delicious.”
Frankie snorts. “You forgot about the Candy Apples you had to taste test.”
“I did. Can't go sellin' anythin' that we're not sure passes inspection,” Dottie adds. “I was just doin' what needed to be done.”
Aggie arches a brow. “And that meant you had to taste everythin' ?”
Dottie's slow-growing grin beams so bright is lights up her entire face. “Yup!”
I chuckle and pull her in for a hug. “Never change, Dottie. Never change.”
“I'm a growin' lady. What can I say?”
We all laugh at that. “Mmm hmm, apparently you are,” I reply.
“Can I just say one thing?” Dottie says, looking around at all of us, continuing after we all nod her way. “I'm so glad we're here together, doin' this good deed for a good man and his deservin' town. But most of all, I want to make sure y'all know that you're the best friends a woman could ever ask for.”
“Aww,” Frankie says, looking teary-eyed as she sidles up to Dottie and hugs her around the waist. “Right back at you.”
“Ditto,” Aggie says, pulling a handkerchief from her jacket pocket and blowing her nose so loud you'd think a foghorn was going off.
“Thanks for comin' with me on this crazy road trip. Y'all didn't have to, and I appreciate your trust and love and support, always,” I tell them.
We move in close, forming a four-way hug huddle, all of us smiling at each other with glassy eyes.
“Now, are we all goin' to start singin' Kumbayah or are we goin' to get out there and do what we're here to do?” Aggie asks.
“We're havin' a moment here, Agnes,” Frankie replies, arching a single brow.
“Yeah, I know ,” she replies in her duh -like tone again. “But there's work to do and a Christmas wish to give. We have a plan, let's get to it, yeah?”
She may not be the most subtle person, but she's got a point. “OK, keep your shoes on. We all know what we've got to do, but are there any questions?”
“Nope,” Aggie says.
“I'm good,” Dottie replies.
“I don't think so,” Frankie adds before she pouts. “But I was enjoyin' our little moment till Aggie ruined it.”
I step back and clap my gloved hands together. “All right then. Let's get to it.”
Then, with a shared and determined nod, we split off and go in different directions to finish the job of creating the perfect winter wonderland for George and the townsfolk of Rainbow Springs, all the while making the most of our last few days left in this picturesque Alaskan mountain town.
Later that afternoon, after all the stalls have been set up and adorned with festive flair, a loud whistle cuts through the air.
“Can everyone finish what they're doin' and come on over to the tree,” Toby calls out through a megaphone he has somehow acquired. Out of everyone in our group, he'd be the last one you'd want to have access to a public address system. I love the man like a grandson, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he suddenly broke out in a rendition of Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You.'
Once we're all gathered in a wide sweeping circle in front of the town Christmas tree, I can't help but stare in wonder at just how beautiful it looks.
The tree is covered head to toe in colorful baubles and lush garlands, with long rows of silver tinsel, giant red bows, and fanciful glittered poinsettia flowers.
Around the base of the trunk there's a red and white holly-covered tree skirt with a mini-Christmas village circling the perimeter. We found it in the storage shed and cleaned it up, repainting it to make it look as good as new before placing tiny little LED lights inside the small windows. What makes the tree almost complete is the snowflakes sticking to the pine needles at the tips. It's almost like the mountain spirit herself wanted to add a little sparkle to our Christmas gift.
Toby and George stand beside the tree, both of them a vision of excitement and pride.
“I wanted to start by thankin' y'all for comin',” Toby begins. “We've been workin' hard to make sure tomorrow's festival goes off without a hitch so that Rainbow Springs gets the Christmas y'all want and deserve. We hope it'll be one you'll tell your children and your children's children about.”
He nods to the man beside him to continue. “We couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. Which is why we wanted y'all to be here when we place the last—and some might say, most important—decoration onto the tree,” George says.
There's a murmur of agreement amongst the crowd, and I feel a swell of pride in my chest. George and I may have already been friends, but after spending the last week here, I know that the bonds we've formed here will last a lifetime.
Toby gestures grandly toward the tall extended ladder set up against the tree and a hush falls over the crowd. “And now, the moment we've all been waiting for. Putting the finishin' touch on top of this magnificent tree, a topper made by your very own mayor, gnomery owner, and all-around nice guy, the same one who made the wish for this very festival to happen!”
Excitement crackles through the air as George begins to climb the ladder, each rung creaking as he gets higher and higher. My heart pounds with anticipation as he reaches the top, clinging to his still-hidden gift to the town.
My friend turns toward the tree, using the branches as cover while he uncovers his prized piece of work. I'm half expecting it to be a Santa gnome but knowing George, it could be anything .
Then, just as he turns to face the crowd, a sudden gust of wind rustles through the branches of the tree followed by a muffled quacking noise.
“Oh no,” Lee says, stifling a giggle.
Red's eyes jump to Toby before narrowing. “Told you what would happen if you uttered his name.”
Mags shakes her head. “He's not a villain in a horror movie, Red.”
“I disagree,” Rhett adds. “That bird has caused many a disaster when it comes to Bull Mountain and this family.”
“He means well though…” Cora says, surprising us all by advocating for the waterfowl whose middle name is trouble. She literally calls him Dickward.
Another quack sounds as the miraculous—some might say disastrous—one-legged, cross-eyed duck known as Dickward Doofus Duck Norris pops his head up out of the branches, flapping his wings wildly as if to make his grand entrance before he perches himself on top of the tree.
“Get away duck!” Dottie starts yelling, waving her hands in the air like she thinks that will dissuade the dastardly duck. Somehow, the idea must catch on because Toby brings the megaphone to his lips. “George, shoo Duck Norris out of the way. He's ruinin' your moment.”
George doesn't look convinced—or reassured—by Toby's words. “I've heard about him. He looks a little creepy close up,” George calls down to us. “Like one of my gnomes when the paint goes wonky.”
“Naw, he's OK. Give him somethin' to eat and he'll be your best friend,” Toby shouts back.
“Don't exactly have any food up here, Toby,” George says, not daring to look away from the bird we know all too well.
Toby drops the megaphone and looks around the group, his eyes stopping on Austin who has not only appeared from nowhere, but is also happily munching away on a candy apple, seemingly non-plussed.
He points to his brother. “Austin, you're up.”
“Whmmt?” Austin mumbles.
“Quickly!” He waves him over urgently and looking confused as hell, Austin walks over to Toby's side regardless.
“ What?”
Toby points to the treetop. “I need you to use your food to get Duck Norris's attention.”
“Why? It's mine and it's delicious,” Austin replies.
Toby growls. It's not a sound I've ever heard from him. “Now you're bein' the doofus. Your friend —that damn stalkin' duck—needs to move and needs to do it now so he doesn't spoil George's big reveal. The only way I know that'll work is for you to entice him with that …” He stares at Austin's candy apple.
A loud sigh escapes him. “Ugh. OK.”
“Don't worry, Austin. I'll get you another one,” Aggie calls out to the amusement of the crowd.
“Um… guys …” George's voice is somewhat higher than usual. All eyes dart to where he is now having a stare-off with Duck Norris. “How are we supposed to get the candy apple up here? ”
“Don't you worry 'bout that, George.” Austin holds up his sweet 'bait' and waves it above his head. “Hey Doofus, remember me?”
“Quack?”
Austin nods. “Yeah, buddy. I've got a tasty little morsel of sugary goodness down here for you.”
“Quaaaack?”
“Yep. All for you. I want to share it with you. All you've got to do is come down here and get it,” Austin continues.
Duck Norris bounces on his one webbed foot, shaking the tree a little and making everyone hold their breath. He eyes the offered ware with his beady eyes—although what direction he's looking in, nobody knows. It's as if he's weighing up his options, cause havoc and delay the tree from being finished or get a tasty snack.
Suddenly, with a loud quack and a flap of his wings, Duck Norris launches himself off the top of the tree and swoops down toward the offered candy apple. Austin barely has time to react before the bird snatches it from his hand and flies off into the distance, somehow quacking all the way and leaving a trail of feathers in his wake.
“Well, now. Let's get back to what we're all here for. George,” Toby calls out to the now smiling town mayor. “Take it away.”
“Not sure I can top that topper,” George says cheekily. “But I'll give it a good ol' Rainbow Springs go.” He quickly unwraps his creation before a huge gasp escapes the crowd.
“How?” Aggie breathes.
“There's no way …” Dottie murmurs.
“That's amazin', George,” Frankie calls out.
I'm speechless. Now I know why George Rainbow is smiling so wide.
It's because his home-crafted Christmas tree topper—the one he's been keeping a secret all week— is none other than a Duck Norris gnome! Complete with crossed eyes and one leg and there's even a Santa hat on top of his head.
“It's perfect,” I say as we all break out in applause. “Absolutely perfect.”
George carefully climbs down the ladder before moving to stand next to Toby again.
“And now, the moment you've all been waitin' for—” Toby looks at George who nods back at him, “let's light it up!”
A second later Landry flicks the switch and the whole tree sparks to life, the icicle-shaped light globes that wrap around the tree from the ground up to the Duck gnome top shining like a beacon of hope across the entire town square.
I stand there for a good long while as others mill around me, marveling at the warm fuzzy feeling in my chest. I watch George talk animatedly to Harry, Larry, Gary, and Cary as Delly, Kelly, Mellie, and Jane ooh and aah over the decorations.
Then there's my granddaughter and our found family from Bull Mountain who all look as happy as I am.
Suddenly, this crazy idea to give my pen pal the gift of Christmas doesn't seem that crazy after all. Not when such a simple easy act can bring so much joy to everyone. Even the grinchiest Grinch wouldn't be able to resist the festive feelings filling the air around town right now.
“You're a good woman, Ruthie,” Mags says, appearing next to me with her husband in tow.
“I just did what anyone else would do given the chance,” I reply.
“But it's not just anyone who asked us to come here. To give this gift to a much deservin' man and much deservin' town,” Red adds. “Glad we can be a part of it too.”
I arch a brow his way. “Weren't you the one complainin' about never wantin' to see another bow again?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Guilty as charged. Doesn't mean I ain't feelin' just how much this means to everyone.”
“Hmm. You're just lookin' forward to your surprise from George and the Arry's tonight, aren't you?” I muse.
“That too.” His sparkling eyes hit mine as he arches his brow. “Any idea what they've got planned?”
“Nope,” I say, accentuating the p. “For all I know, they're goin' to dress all of y'all up as gnomes and take incriminatin' photos of you.”
The look of horror on Red's face makes my teasing worth it. It's only when Mags giggles that his horrified expression narrows into a knowing—albeit, half-hearted—scowl.
I pat his arm to placate the man. “Don't worry, Red. I don't think they'd even have gnome costumes to fit all of you ranchers. But I bet whatever it is, it'll be a night you won't forget.”